Mabel (Christenson) James (1895-1937)

CHRISTENSON, JAMES, MANGES

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 8/27/2024 at 17:05:50

From Story City Herald July 1, 1937 (page 3)

THE FUNERAL OF MRS. STANTON JAMES

The funeral services were held Saturday, June 19, with a prayer service at the James home at 1:30 and in the Grace church at 2, with Rev. Bergeman officiating, assisted by Rev. Wendel.

The choir sang three songs, "The Silver Chord," "Safe in the Arms of Jesus," and "No Night There." In the first and last of the three songs Mrs. Smith sang the solo parts. Ruth Bergeman was at the piano.

The pall bearers were Olai Alsager, Ed Charlson, P. C. Donhowe, Magne Idse, J. C. Jessen and Hans S. Nelson. Interment was made in the Fairview cemetery where the ritual was read by Rev. Bergeman and Rev. Wendel.

The flower tributes were most beautiful and about forty dollars was given to missions as a memorial to the deceased, who was at the time of her death treasurer of the Grace Women's Missionary society.

Many Present from Afar

Among those present at the funeral were the following: Mr. and Mrs. Will Baldus, Eslie Hays, Mrs. Mary Dyvig and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. N. H. Cattell and family, Mr. and Mrs. W. Stone and daughters, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Truesdale, all of Ames, Mrs. Allie Gross and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Cameron and son of Boone; Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Leyh of Sumner; Mandus Teig of Jewell, Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Alfselke of Jewell; Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Manges of Kelley; Mr. and Mrs. Harl Manges and son and Mrs. Elmer Shroeder and son of Albert Lea, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. Ira Christenson and daughter of Des Moines; Mrs. C. E. Thomas and daughter of Keystone; Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Harris and son of Beaman; Wm. M. James of Wilmette, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Raphael James of Chicago; Elmer W. James of Midland, Mich.; Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Manges, Mr. and Mrs. Ole Wold, and C. M. Manges, all of Gilbert.

Obituary

Rev. Bergeman read the following obituary preceding the sermon:

Mabel Christenson James was the daughter of Peter and Emma (Manges) Christenson, having been born at the farm home one-half mile south of Center school near Story City, Iowa, on the 9th day of October, 1895, and died at the Story City hospital on June 16, 1937. The illness which terminated in her death became first noticeable when she began to experience fatigue and weakness about ten years ago. At first her condition responded to medical treatment and she seemed to be recovering from the affliction. In the summer of 1932 she became ill with a large carbuncle on her shoulder and it was at that time when it was first discovered that she had a serious blood ailment. Since then the malady intensified despite the medical care she was receiving at the hands of the best physician available. After making a number of trips of the Mayo Clinic at Rochester during the past several years it became quite apparent, during the month of February of this year, that her health was rapidly failing and she was growing weaker. She was taken to Mary Greeley hospital at Ames during the month of April and again a month later, for treatment, during which time she was given five blood transfusions by members of the family. After spending a few days in her home subsequent to the Mary Greeley hospital experience she was removed to Story City hospital on June 8th and remained there until she passed away on Wednesday morning, June 16. Her age was 41 years, 8 months and 7 days.

Shew grew to womanhood on the farm where she was born and attended Center School, during which time she also received a part of her musical education, thru private instruction, and later studied Voice at Iowa State college. In 1916, about a year after the death of her father, she with her mother moved to Story City where she made her home until her departure.

It was on November 27, 1919, that she was united in marriage to Stanton James at Story City, at which time the Rev. L. F. Smith was the officiating clergyman. To them were given two daughters, who are Marilyn Mabel and Alys Elaine. As companion she was most considerate of her husband and she lavished her love upon her children. Her conception of home life was of a most wholesome nature, and she held to high ideals for herself and her family. She was, indeed, the queen of a truly Christian home, evincing great concern for those who were entrusted to her care. She lived for her family and for such whom she chanced to meet on life's journey. Consequently, in making her contacts in the community she made for herself many warm friends who now cherish her memory.

As a result of a series of meetings held by the Evangelical church at Center school, she yielded to Christ and was baptized June 20, 1909, and with her parents as a regular attendant at Divine services. A little later her membership was transferred to Gilbert and upon moving to Story City she united with the Grace Evangelical church, of which she was a very faithful and active member to the end. Her love for music and her splendid voice, with her musical training, enabled her to make herself very useful in the church and the community. She was Sunday school chorister and the director of the church choir for a number of years, until she was necessitated to retire from these activities because of failing health. She also was teacher of the Royal Daughters class in the Sunday school for a season and also taught the young ladies' class for a time. She held various positions of trust in the church and at the time of her death was the corresponding secretary and treasurer of the Woman's Missionary Society, which position she held for a number of years. She will be greatly missed because of her activity and splendid influence in this organization.

Mrs. James was alert and recognized the needs of the community, and therefore was greatly concerned about the community life, the church and the home. She made splendid use of her talents, and wielded a fine influence in the community. Because of her beautiful Christian character and her interest in others whom she sought to serve she will be greatly missed. She desired to continue in this service but when she came to realize that a heavenly Father was beckoning her to some up higher she was fully resigned to His will and therefore readily yielded and clearly testified to be prepared to meet the Lord who was her Saviour. Thus a noble woman has been taken from scenes of earth to realms beyond where suffering and sorrow are unknown.

Her father and a sister preceded her in death. She leaves to mourn her early departure her sorrowing husband, the two daughters, Marilyn and Elaine, her mother, Mrs. Emma Christenson, all of Story City and one brother, Ira Christenson of Des Moines, besides many other relatives and a host of close friends.

In the words of another we say:
"Why must they go? Why need we part?
They go to join the pure heart,
Where angels and the elect stay--
Who've loved and walked the Jesus' way."